Those whom They call upon do desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord, – Even those who are nearest: They hope for His Mercy and fear His Wrath: for the wrath of Thy Lord is something to take heed of. [Abdullah Yusuf Ali] [Al-Isra: 57]

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has used the word “Waseelah” only twice in the Qur’an and it is clearly evident from the text of the Qur’an that it means “means of approach” not “intercession”…

Dr. Khalid Zaheer commenting on the verse of Al-Maidah while answering a question about Waseelah:

Had the commonly understood meaning of ‘Waseelah‘ been meant in this verse, then
the following verse of al-Zumur wouldn’t have made any sense:

“Beware! The pure religion (of seeking help) is for Allah alone. And those who seek helpers other than Him, (they say), ‘We don’t worship them except with a view to come closer to God’. Indeed, Allah is going to decide about them on the Day of Judgment on matters they are disputing. Indeed, Allah doesn’t guide those liars and rejecters of truth.” (Al-Zumr: 03)

Now let’s see what Qur’an says about the word “Shafa’ah”.

Here are the references from the Qur’an with the word “Shafa’ah”. There are other verses like (4:84) with the same word but that is not relevant to the topic because this topic exclusively deals with the issue of intercession between Allah and His Servants.

Then guard yourselves against a Day when one soul shall not avail another, nor shall compensation be accepted from her nor shall intercession profit her nor shall anyone be helped (from outside). (Abdullah Yusuf Ali) (Baqarah: 123)

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). (Abdullah Yusuf Ali) (Anbiya: 28)

No intercession can avail in His Presence, except for those for whom He has granted permission. So far (is this the case) that, when terror is removed from their hearts (at the Day of Judgment, then) will they say, ‘what is it that your Lord commanded?’ they will say, ‘That which is true and just; and He is the Most High Most Great’.” (Abdullah Yusuf Ali) (Saba:23)

Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If ((Allah)) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me. (Abdullah Yusuf Ali) (Yaseen: 23)

Say: “To Allah belongs exclusively (the right to grant) intercession: to Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: In the End, it is to Him that ye shall be brought back.” (Abdullah Yusuf Ali) (Zumr: 44)

How many-so-ever be the angels in the heavens, their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him. (Abdullah Yusuf Ali) (Najm: 26)

Now look at the difference of the meaning of these two words. There is a huge difference one is completely prohibited and the other is completely allowed. Now let’s see an example from the Qur’an which clears the concept of Waseelah in the light of Qur’an:

O You who believe! Seek help In patience and As-Salât (the prayer). Truly! Allâh is with As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.). (Abdullah Yusuf Ali) (Baqarah: 153)

Now in this verse Allah tells us that we can get His help by Sabr and Salah and Allah will only help us when we will be close to Him and the Proposition (ب) is pointing towards the same. And similarly in the verse of Surah Maidah Allah wants us to strive in His path so that we can be close to him. And the verse of Surah Isra completely negates the view point that we can approach to Allah by means of any human being, Jinn or Malaikah because these words “Those whom They call upon do desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord, – Even those who are nearest:” give us the clear idea…….

And the word “Waseelah” can’t be taken in the meanings of the word “Shafa’ah” because the later is completely forbidden in the Qur’an. There is not a single verse which says that anybody can intercede for us in this world or next (only by the permission of Allah and that is too in the day of Judgment).

Everybody is requested to go through these lines and share their views and correct me if I have made any mistakes or wrongly interpreted the verses of the Qur’an because we cannot play with the words of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala otherwise we’ll perish.